Hurricanes freshman DE Gregory Rousseau is one of those freak of natures’

Anthony Chiang

Friday

Aug 24, 2018 at 12:01 AMAug 24, 2018 at 2:21 PM

Since enrolling at the University of Miami for spring practices earlier this year, Gregory Rousseau has been dominant.

The Hurricanes’ true freshman defensive end recorded nine sacks in three spring scrimmages and several more in fall camp. That dominance has surprised many, even Rousseau.

"It has," Rousseau said at UM’s media day when asked if his immediate success has caught him off guard. "But I’m just trying to keep working hard, do it in the game. That’s what I’m excited for."

Rousseau will have that opportunity when the Hurricanes open their season against LSU on Sept. 2 in Arlington, Texas.

With junior Joe Jackson and sophomore Jonathan Garvin expected to start as Miami’s two defensive ends, Rousseau is projected to play primarily in a pass rushing role this year. At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds -- up from 220 pounds when he arrived at UM -- Rousseau has the athletic skill set to thrive in that spot.

"Greg Rousseau, he’s one of those freak of natures," Jackson said. "He’s got the height, the get-off, the speed. He’s got everything. His first step is maybe at least two yards, so he’s got everything. So, when he gets that first step, he’s already most likely beating the tackle and he just picks up everything quick. He knows the plays and he just picks up everything quick. So, he’s very impressive."

What makes Rousseau "one of those freak of natures"? He came to the Hurricanes as an under-the-radar three-star prospect because he didn’t really have a position in high school, as he also lined up as a safety and wide receiver at Hialeah-Champagnat Catholic.

"I knew I wanted to be an end," Rousseau said. "I knew my ceiling at defensive end was higher than anything else. I played safety, I played receiver, but I played those more for fun. I knew at defensive end, I could really grow into my body more and just be the best me I could be at that position."

Yes, Rousseau has been able to dominate in practice. But that doesn’t mean he expects things to come easy when he faces LSU.

"I know it will be harder when we get to LSU," he said. "Because when you go against guys every day that have tendencies, you really pick up on what they’re doing so it gets a little bit easier. But LSU, we don’t know them."

Here’s the thing, LSU doesn’t know him yet either.

"I’m just trying to keep working hard and stay humble and stuff because I really haven’t done anything yet," Rousseau said. "So, I’m just trying to make the best of my opportunities this season."

[Is WR Lawrence Cager set for breakout season? Cager: ‘I can’t play around no more’]